Car is 2005 R53 Cooper S. MOT approaching in March. Seems my headlight washers aren't working properly. The resevoir is full. Lights are on. Some water is coming out from behind the washer covers but they are not extending, coming out.
Seems them not working is quite a common?
Before I had it, the car failed the MOT twice because they were not working - "Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)"
Both in April 2015
One in April 2013
Anyone know what's likely to have gone wrong with them? How to fix, at least to get through the MOT?
Personally I couldn't care less if they are not working. They eat water (albeit the Mini happens to have a seperate resevoir for the headlight washers - most cars seem not to) and they are useless.
Thanks drewy. I was with my 'used Mini parts' man this afternoon and tried the washers. Lights on. BUT we didn't have the engine running. Disconnected the N/S feed pipe - no water and I didn't hear the pump. I think the pump is indeed goosed. Might be a fuse possibly. I think the battery is OK - as I've got another car I sometimes leave it for a week or so and it always starts enthusiastically. Didn't realise it took so much power. Defo need to check with engine running, as you suggest.
I'm taking it to his workshop on Monday and he is going to check it out. He has a spare washer pump. He is also changing the engine top mount - all the oil has leaaked out.
Off thread, I'm buying from him and he is fitting:
BRG grill (replace chrome)
BRG Boot Handle (replace chrome)
Front strengthening struts (the ones fitted to R52s convertibles) as he happens to have a new set
Orranje Stealth cold air feed, almost new, including the cut scuttle from the car he is breaking, so I can convert it back to standard when I sell it
Milltek non resonated exhaust system, almost new
Boost CD head unit - mines got the Harmon Kardon....but a tape head unit and I want to fit a USB and AUX input but still be able to play the occaissional CD (I'll lose the 6 changer because of the USB/AUX adaptor)
Full black leather seats (mine are the 50/50 efforts)
Had standard tyres fitted yesterday, so had a boot-full of nearly new run-flats. He has taken them for a half decent price and is crediting me against above. Hassle free outcome for me.
I'm sure you'll get it sorted, the reason I mentioned the battery is because I have been having issues with my headlight washers which seem to relate to the state of my battery. My car still has the original bmw battery on and is really only a weekend car and have noticed without a good run and the engine running the washer jets only extend but don't spray. After a good run and engine running they extend and squirt weakly so seems to be power related.
I only get 12v on my battery and that drops to 9.5v when cranking even though the car starts every time, I think the battery needs replacing. Looking at getting an 027 Exide with slightly better output than original and hoping washers will be fine.
Mods sound nice and will give a few bhp and lovely pops on over-run.
I was planning on keeping mine stock but when I was having my 4 wheel alignment the other week found out the exhaust is blowing from the weld going into the last box. Not sure to go oem or get a stainless system, i'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
Sorry for the rather long reply, and hope you get it sorted.
drewy, seems between us we've completely highjacked my OP! It's the pops and bangs and the whine I'm after! I've decided to go for the non res Milltek, not just because that's what 'my man' has available but as it's not my daily I want max pop and bang. Guy who fitted my tyres had an Audi RS6 with a non res Milltek. Said it didn't drone at constant throttle and was perfectly civilised.
The breaker (it's what most of the bits are coming off) MCS also has a 15% charger pulley (mild %age). Did I want it says 'my man'. He has dealt with loads of Minis. Doesn't like R56s, specialises in R53s. He said it makes a magic difference. Done brief research and with the better breathing and exhaust it should give 20-25bhp extra(???). I'm tempted. Mines a 170 braker so it should get it close to 200bhp. Maybe? For not that much money. Probably need to do a decent coilpack and plugs with it.
To your question - the standard tyres. I'm an older dog, nearer 70 than 60, and the ride was really getting to me. I am astonished at the difference. The ride is completely different. A pothole is a pothole in any car (even my confy Volco C30) and crashes, but on the RFs you felt every little, tiny irregularity in the surface. It was horrible. That is completely gone. They make a huge difference. It feels as though I've taken off the Sports Suspension Plus and put half civilised suspension on it. It now rides like a very well handling 'sports' car, not a cart with wooden wheels and without suspension. I was thinking about fitting Koni FSDs - very expensive. But I don't think I now need to bother.
I've got them at 33psi. I think tomorrow I'll put them up to 35 or 36psi. It has lost a little of the wicked, instant turn-in it had on the Pirelli P Zeros. Which incidentally were great tyres, wet, dry, handling, fantastic grip....except for the ride. So the standards have affected the handling feel a bit. It's because the side walls of the standards are so much softer and more flexible than the RFs the tyre is turning a fraction 'behind' the actual wheel. Probably only a tenth of a second or so, but whatever, you can notice. I think higher pressures will change that for the better, probably at a bit of expense to the (magic carpet!!) ride. Apparently Minis are very sensitive to tyre pressures.
This happened on my R53, I had to replace the pump/reservoir. Its quite an easy job.
Good to hear your non-runflats have improved your issues. Its a big investment to make in four new tyres!
Let me know what you think of the Milltek and Orranje Airbox. I am considering both for my car. I want more supercharger noise and more pops and bangs when pressing on, but without it droning and making a racket when cruising around.
brassd, was your issue just a worn washer pump that had lost its pressure ? mine will pop the washers out but no fluid but when I disconnect the hoses to the washers, fluid runs out without any problems.
The tyres were £261.56 delivered from Camskill. £60 to fit. So £321.56, £80 a corner, done. For the improvement in ride it's a bargain IMHO!!
AS posted above, my breaker man gave me £160 for them against all the other stuff I'm buying off him. Could have got more as the 2 x Pirelli P Zeros still had 8mm tread, pretty much new, and cost the previous owner £130 each. He didn't shop around mind (has a 2016 RS4,2016 Porsche Cayenne and 450bhp Escort Mk2 quarter miler). Not his style.
Swings and roundabouts on the tyres. He wanted £325 for the seats and they are now £225. Orranje Stealth and cut scuttle £65 fitted. Milltek non-res £400 fitted. Got 2 x LED sidelights, correct facelift Owners manual (swop, it came with wrong one for pre 2004 cars), 2 x LED puddle lights free.
If I don't like the non-res I can buy the extra front box and get it swapped round. I'm told a standard Mini replacement exhaust is very expensive - much more than a resonated Milltek (SSXM006)?? I haven't checked. Cheapest Milltek res when I looked was 1320 Mini £520.
I'll let you know what I think back end of next week.
My issue was not quite the same. When the headlights were on and I activated the washer jets, I got nothing. No movement or sound from the pump at all. Total pump failure. Sounds like yours is a partial failure.
brassd, maybe I'll start a new thread with my thoughts on the Milltek and Orranje Stealth. Hidden in here under H/L washers it's rather off topic. Basically they are awesome. Absolutely delighted.
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